Checklist: What Should New York Livestock Producers Do If A Peace Officer Asks To Investigate Their Property

Rincker LawFood & Ag Law 3 Comments

If you remember last fall in this blog, I highlighed various livestock animal cruelty laws in New York.  Like this Long Island horse breeder, many livestock producers in New York are wondering if they will be next.  It is important for livestock producers in New York to understand that duly incorporated animal societies (principally the New York Society Preventing Animal …

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What are Some Changes in Farm Animal Care Laws That Should Take Place at the State and/or Federal Level?

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Last week on #AgChat on Twitter, @RinckerLaw posed this question to the “ag tweeps” during the forum discusssing animal care issues.  You can read what folks on Twitter had to say on this question here.  @CowNutritionist and @rosehartshuh both liked what Ohio did last fall with the creation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.  @Amsjost believes that every farm …

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What Will Be The Biggest Agriculture Policy Issue of 2010?

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I asked my “ag tweeps” on Twitter and this is what they had to say (in 140 characters or less): @itweetmeat – “Greater food policy legislation.” @allenlivingston – “I think Cap & Trade will be the biggest #ag policy issue 2010 – far reaching consequences.” @Fastline – “Animal rights will continue to be huge.  Maybe something more for the dairy …

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NYSBA Animal Law Committee Newsletter Available Online

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Last spring, I was appointed as a member of the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) Committee on Animals and the Law.  The Committe published its first “Laws & Paws” newsletter last month which is available online here.  The October newsletter contains an update of hot topics in animal law, an article on teen animal cruelty, a summary of Convention on International …

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Get Ready For A Food Fight: Thank a Farmer Week

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Several agriculture commodity groups, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”), are joining forces this week in a “food fight” against mainstream media for attacking modern agriculture production.  As noted in this blog, I strongly believe that U.S. agriculture should be viewed as part of the food security solution and Americans need to support the people who work hard to …

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Livestock Animal Cruelty Laws in Connecticut

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Over the last month or two, I have been blogging about livestock animal cruelty laws in New York.  However, Connecticut has a similar statute that proscribes the neglect of livestock animals.  Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-247(a), livestock producers in Connecticut can be prosecuted for the failure to provide necessary food, water, shelter and veterinary care.  Thus far, horse …

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Livestock Animal Cruelty Law Article

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I recently wrote a livestock animal cruelty article addressing farm animal welfare issues in New York.  The article discusses five defensive moves that New York livestock producers should make to help prevent criminal prosecution.  Though the article is state specific, the article is informative to livestock producers all over the country. If you would like specific information on livestock animal …

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Animal Law Student Writing Competition

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As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I am a member of Committee on Animals and the Law (“CAL”) for the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”).  Last spring, I was appointed as a member of the subcommittee for the Student Writing Competition.  The subcommittee is pleased to announce the Third Annual Student Writing Competition.  The deadline for submission is …

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Part IV: Debrief from NYFB Farm Animal Welfare Conference

Rincker LawConferences and Meetings, Food & Ag Law, Food & Ag Organizations 1 Comment

The keynote speaker for the New York Farm Bureau farm animal welfare conference was David Martosko, the Director of Research for the Center for Consumer Freedom.  I was extremely impressed by Martosko – he is a dynamic speaker who is understands the misrepresentations that animal groups make to the public.  In particularly, Martosko criticized the Humane Society of the United …

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Part III: Debrief from NYFB Farm Animal Welfare Conference

Rincker LawAg-vocacy, Conferences and Meetings, Food & Ag Law, Food & Ag Organizations 4 Comments

At the recent New York Farm Bureau (“NYFB”) Farm Animal Welfare Conference, Kay Johnson Smith from the Animal Agriculture Alliance was one of the keynote speakers.  I was extremely impressed by her poise and presence.  I love seeing such powerful, articulate women in the forefront of agriculture issues in Washington. The underlying theme of Ms. Smith’s talk was that those …

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Part II: Debrief from NYFB Farm Animal Welfare Conference

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At the New York Farm Bureau (“NYFB”) farm animal welfare conference, Mr. McNally and myself had the opportunity to address farm animal cruelty laws here in New York.  I discussed the laws from a defense standpoint while Mr. McNally was knowledgeable from the prosecution side.  My outline that was provided to conference attendees is available on JD Supra here. As …

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